The Pololu Pushbutton Power Switch is a compact, solid-state power switch that features built-in reverse-voltage protection and is controlled by a momentary pushbutton: one push turns on power and another push turns it off. This is a patented design initially created for use in our own products as an alternative to bulky mechanical switches. Because the switched current does not flow through the mechanical switch, a large variety of small, low-power switches can be used to control a substantial amount of power. The use of momentary switches also allows multiple switches to be used in parallel to control the power to one load.

The board has a small pushbutton already installed and offers convenient points for connecting external pushbutton or tactile switches in parallel. It also offers several alternate pushbutton connection options that result in push-on-only or push-off-only operation, and additional inputs enable further power control options like allowing the load to turn off its own power, which can be beneficial when used with battery chemistries sensitive to over-discharging.

Warning: Do not use this switch as an emergency cutoff or similar safety disconnect in applications where failure to cut power could lead to injury or property damage.

The switch and control inputs control the state of a latching circuit that in turn controls a pair of power MOSFETs through which the main current flows.

Benefits and limitations

The Pololu Pushbutton Power Switch works well in its intended application as a DC power switch for small robots, but because it is fundamentally different from a mechanical power switch, the benefits and drawbacks of the components must be fully considered.

Benefits over mechanical switches:

• Compact size
• Reverse-voltage protection
• Allows multiple (parallel) switches for improved user interface
• Better turn-on characteristics than a bouncing mechanical switch
• Limited LC spikes for low-resistance loads
• Allows self-shutoff (OFF input)
• Allows external digital device to control the power state (ON and CTRL inputs)
• Breadboard and perfboard compatible (0.1″-pitch)

Drawbacks compared to mechanical switches:

• Switch is one-directional (power applied to VOUT cannot be switched to VIN)
• Limited operating voltage range
• Switch can lose its state when power is disconnected (the switch typically defaults to being off when power is first applied, but it can default to being on near the upper end of the operating range)
• Switches DC only (does not maintain state through power disruptions or excessive noise)
• No complete isolation in off state

Using the Pushbutton Power Switch

The simplest way to control the Pushbutton Power Switch is via its installed pushbutton: one push turns on power and another turns it off. Alternatively, a separate pushbutton, such as a remote panel-mounted unit, can be connected to the A and B pins and used instead. Multiple pushbuttons can be wired in parallel for multiple control points, and each of the parallel pushbuttons, including the one on the board itself, will be able to turn the switch on or off. The latching circuit performs some button debouncing, but pushbuttons with excessive bouncing (several ms) might not function well with this product.

More advanced control options are available through the button connection pins and three control inputs:

The ON, OFF, and CTRL pins on the pushbutton power switch do not require a pulse to operate, but leaving any of them in a high state could interfere with the switch’s other control methods, so we generally recommend using pulsed signals with them. The input structures for the three control inputs are shown below:

Each power node can be accessed through a large hole along the top side of the board or two smaller 0.1″-spaced holes along the sides of the board. For applications drawing more than 5 A, you should either use the large holes or both 0.1″-spaced holes for each power connection.

Thermal and power dissipation considerations

Because MOSFETs in the on state are effectively resistive, the power heating the board is proportional to the square of the current flowing through it. The comparison table near the top of this page shows typical currents that heat the MOSFETs to 55°C, where the MOSFETs start being noticeably warm but are still generally safe to touch, and currents that heat the MOSFETs to 150°C, the absolute limit for the MOSFETs. With adequate cooling, or for brief periods if the MOSFETs are not hot to begin with, currents up to the listed maximums are attainable.

Transient protection

Interrupting large currents can cause voltage spikes (positive on the input side and negative on the output side) that depend on the inductance of the power connections and that can exceed the limits of the device. Appropriate measures to limit the size of these spikes include minimizing lengths of wires, placing capacitors at the power switch to smooth the spikes and absorb some of the energy, placing a schottky diode across the power output to absorb negative spikes, and placing a transient voltage suppressor (TVS) across the power input to absorb positive spikes.

Characteristics at limits of operating range

The switch operating range is limited by the ability to change state reliably. At low voltages, the switch is difficult to turn on, and the switch will turn itself off once the voltage falls far enough (this shutoff point can be as high as 4.5 V). At high voltages, the switches are more likely to turn on when power is initially applied. The reliability of turning off is affected by a combination of the supply voltage, the amount of bouncing on the pushbutton switch, and the amount of noise on the supply line. For applications at the high end of the operating range, tests should be performed to ensure that the device can properly turn off.